South Korea Should Develop Nuclear Weapons for Defense Against North Korea: Seoul Mayor

South Korea should create nuclear weapons to strengthen its defense against North Korea, despite the risks of international repercussions. This was stated by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in an interview with Reuters.

He noted that North Korea has managed to refine tactical nuclear weapons and has “considerably acquired at least dozens of warheads.”

“We have reached a point where it is difficult to convince people logically that we should refrain from developing nuclear weapons and adhere to the idea of denuclearization,” Oh Se-hoon said.

The Seoul mayor pointed out that the Ukrainian crisis has reinforced his belief that nuclear disarmament has lost its appeal. In his view, nuclear weapons would be the most effective means to deter North Korea.

Oh Se-hoon acknowledged that the international community would initially oppose South Korea's nuclear program, but over time it would “gain more support.” In January, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that the country could develop its own nuclear weapons or deploy them on its territory if relations with North Korea deteriorated. He has directed efforts to ensure a military capability that would allow South Korea to respond “a hundred or even a thousand times” in the event of an attack on Seoul.